Selective multichannel amplification in a distributed antenna system (das)

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to selective multichannel amplification in a distributed communication system. In this regard, a remote antenna unit (RAU) in the distributed communication system receives downlink digital signals associated with downlink channels having respective downlink channel bandwidths. The RAU digitally scales the downlink digital signals based on respective digital scaling factors to generate scaled downlink digital signals having a substantially equal channel power density in the downlink channels. By digitally scaling the downlink digital signals to provide the substantially equal channel power density in the downlink channels, it is possible to provide substantially uniform radio frequency (RF) coverage range across the downlink channels, thus helping to improve overall RF coverage and user experience in a coverage area of the distributed communication system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/IL2016/051144, filed Oct. 25, 2016, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/243,867, filed on Oct. 20, 2015, the contents of which are reliedupon and incorporated herein by reference in their own entireties.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to a distributed antenna system (DAS)and more particularly to techniques for amplifying multiple wirelesschannels in a DAS.

Wireless customers are increasingly demanding digital data services,such as streaming video signals. At the same time, some wirelesscustomers use their wireless communications devices in areas that arepoorly serviced by conventional cellular networks, such as insidecertain buildings or areas where there is little cellular coverage. Oneresponse to the intersection of these two concerns has been the use ofDASs. DASs include remote units configured to receive and transmitcommunications signals to client devices within the antenna range of theremote units. DASs can be particularly useful when deployed insidebuildings or other indoor environments where the wireless communicationsdevices may not otherwise be able to effectively receive radio frequency(RF) signals from a signal source.

In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates distribution of communicationservices to remote coverage areas 100(1)-100(N) of a DAS 102, wherein‘N’ is the number of remote coverage areas. These communication servicescan include cellular services, wireless services, such as RFidentification (RFID) tracking, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), local areanetwork (LAN), wireless LAN (WLAN), wireless solutions (Bluetooth, Wi-FiGlobal Positioning System (GPS) signal-based, and others) forlocation-based services, and combinations thereof, as examples. Theremote coverage areas 100(1)-100(N) may be remotely located. In thisregard, the remote coverage areas 100(1)-100(N) are created by andcentered on remote antenna units (RAUs) 104(1)-104(N) connected to ahead-end equipment (HEE) 106 (e.g., a head-end controller, a head-endunit (HEU), or a central unit). The HEE 106 may be communicativelycoupled to a signal source 108, for example, a base transceiver station(BTS) or a baseband unit (BBU). In this regard, the HEE 106 receivesdownlink communications signals 110D from the signal source 108 to bedistributed to the RAUs 104(1)-104(N). The RAUs 104(1)-104(N) areconfigured to receive the downlink communications signals 110D from theHEE 106 over a communications medium 112 to be distributed to therespective remote coverage areas 100(1)-100(N) of the RAUs104(1)-104(N). In a non-limiting example, the communications medium 112may be a wired communications medium, a wireless communications medium,or an optical fiber-based communications medium. Each of the RAUs104(1)-104(N) may include an RF transmitter/receiver (not shown) and arespective antenna 114(1)-114(N) operably connected to the RFtransmitter/receiver to wirelessly distribute the communication servicesto client devices 116 within the respective remote coverage areas100(1)-100(N). The RAUs 104(1)-104(N) are also configured to receiveuplink communications signals 110U from the client devices 116 in therespective remote coverage areas 100(1)-100(N) to be distributed to thesignal source 108. The size of each of the remote coverage areas100(1)-100(N) is determined by the amount of RF power transmitted by therespective RAUs 104(1)-104(N), receiver sensitivity, antenna gain, andRF environment, as well as by RF transmitter/receiver sensitivity of theclient devices 116. The client devices 116 usually have a fixed maximumRF receiver sensitivity, so that the above-mentioned properties of theRAUs 104(1)-104(N) mainly determine the size of the respective remotecoverage areas 100(1)-100(N).

In a non-limiting example, the RAUs 104(1)-104(N) are configured towirelessly distribute the downlink communications signals 110D to theclient devices 116 based on long-term evolution (LTE) technology. Inthis regard, the downlink communications signals 110D may occupydifferent LTE channels of respective bandwidths. For example, a firstLTE channel occupies a respective bandwidth of five megahertz (5 MHz)while a second LTE channel occupies a respective bandwidth of twentymegahertz (20 MHz). In this regard, if the downlink communicationssignals 110D are transmitted in the first LTE channel and the second LTEchannel with a power level P, a channel power density of the first LTEchannel is P/(5 MHz), while a channel power density of the second LTEchannel will be P/(20 MHz). In this regard, the first LTE channel has ahigher channel power density than the second LTE channel. As a result,the downlink communications signals 110D transmitted in the first LTEchannel may achieve a longer coverage range than the downlinkcommunications signals 110D transmitted in the second LTE channel. Assuch, it may be desirable to transmit the downlink communicationssignals 110D in both the first LTE channel and the second LTE channelwith similar coverage range.

No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes priorart. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracyand pertinency of any cited documents.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to selective multichannelamplification in a distributed antenna system (DAS). In this regard, aremote antenna unit (RAU) in the DAS is configured to receive aplurality of downlink digital signals associated with a plurality ofdownlink channels having respective downlink channel bandwidths. The RAUis configured to digitally scale the downlink digital signals based onrespective digital scaling factors to generate a plurality of scaleddownlink digital signals having a substantially equal channel powerdensity in the downlink channels. By digitally scaling the downlinkdigital signals to provide the substantially equal channel power densityin the downlink channels, it is possible to provide substantiallyuniform radio frequency (RF) coverage range across the downlinkchannels, thus helping to improve overall RF coverage and userexperience in a coverage area of the RAU in the DAS.

In one embodiment, an RAU in a DAS is provided. The RAU comprises aplurality of channel circuits. The plurality of channel circuits isconfigured to receive a plurality of downlink digital signals at aplurality of signal power levels to be communicated in a plurality ofdownlink channels having a plurality of downlink channel bandwidths,respectively. The plurality of channel circuits is also configured todigitally scale the plurality of downlink digital signals based on aplurality of digital scaling factors determined according to theplurality of downlink channel bandwidths to generate a plurality ofscaled downlink digital signals having a substantially equal channelpower density in the plurality of downlink channels.

In another embodiment, a method for digitally scaling a plurality ofdownlink digital signals in an RAU in a DAS is provided. The methodcomprises receiving the plurality of downlink digital signals at aplurality of signal power levels to be communicated in a plurality ofdownlink channels having a plurality of downlink channel bandwidths,respectively. The method also comprises digitally scaling the pluralityof downlink digital signals based on a plurality of digital scalingfactors determined according to the plurality of downlink channelbandwidths to generate a plurality of scaled downlink digital signalshaving a substantially equal channel power density in the plurality ofdownlink channels.

In another embodiment, a DAS is provided. The DAS comprises a centralunit. The DAS also comprises a plurality of RAUs. The plurality of RAUsis configured to receive a plurality of downlink digital communicationssignals from the central unit. The plurality of RAUs is also configuredto provide a plurality of uplink digital communications signals to thecentral unit. One or more RAUs among the plurality of RAUs eachcomprises a plurality of channel circuits. The plurality of channelcircuits is configured to receive a plurality of downlink digitalsignals at a plurality of signal power levels to be communicated in aplurality of downlink channels having a plurality of downlink channelbandwidths, respectively. The plurality of channel circuits is alsoconfigured to digitally scale the plurality of downlink digital signalsbased on a plurality of digital scaling factors determined according tothe plurality of downlink channel bandwidths to generate a plurality ofscaled downlink digital signals having a substantially equal channelpower density in the plurality of downlink channels.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing theembodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof,as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are merely exemplary, and areintended to provide an overview or framework to understand the natureand character of the claims.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, andtogether with the description serve to explain principles and operationof the various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary distributed antenna system(DAS);

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary conventional remoteantenna unit (RAU) configured to generate a combined downlink digitalsignal based on a plurality of downlink digital signals;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram providing an exemplary illustration ofrespective signal power levels of the downlink digital signals and atotal signal power level of the combined downlink digital signal of FIG.2A;

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram providing an exemplary illustration ofrespective channel power densities of the downlink digital signals ofFIG. 2B;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RAU configured todigitally scale a plurality of downlink digital signals based on aplurality of digital scaling factors to generate a plurality of scaleddownlink digital signals having a substantially equal channel powerdensity in a plurality of downlink channels;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram providing an exemplary illustration ofscaled channel power levels as a result of digital scaling;

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram providing an exemplary illustration ofthe channel power densities of the scaled downlink digital signals ofFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary process that can be performed bythe RAU of FIG. 3A to digitally scale the downlink digital signals basedon the digital scaling factors;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary process that a power scalingcontroller may employ to determine the digital scaling factors of FIG.3A;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process that a plurality ofdigital channel processing units in the RAU of FIG. 3A may perform todigitally scale the downlink digital signals;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary DAS provided in the formof an optical fiber-based DAS that includes one or more of the RAU ofFIG. 3A configured to digitally scale the downlink digital signals basedon the digital scaling factors;

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic cut-away diagram of an exemplary buildinginfrastructure in which the DAS of FIG. 7 can be provided; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram representation of additional detailillustrating an exemplary computer system that could be employed in acontrol circuit, including a controller in the RAU of FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to selective multichannelamplification in a distributed antenna system (DAS). In this regard, aremote antenna unit (RAU) in the DAS is configured to receive aplurality of downlink digital signals associated with a plurality ofdownlink channels having respective downlink channel bandwidths. The RAUis configured to digitally scale the downlink digital signals based onrespective digital scaling factors to generate a plurality of scaleddownlink digital signals having a substantially equal channel powerdensity in the downlink channels. By digitally scaling the downlinkdigital signals to provide the substantially equal channel power densityin the downlink channels, it is possible to provide substantiallyuniform radio frequency (RF) coverage range across the downlinkchannels, thus helping to improve overall RF coverage and userexperience in a coverage area of the RAU in the DAS.

Before discussing exemplary aspects of selective multichannelamplification in a DAS that includes specific aspects of the presentdisclosure, a brief overview of a conventional RAU without thecapability of digitally scaling downlink digital signals based onrespective downlink channel bandwidths is first provided in reference toFIGS. 2A-2C. The discussion of specific exemplary aspects of selectivemultichannel amplification in a DAS starts with reference to FIG. 3A.

In this regard, FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an exemplaryconventional RAU 200 configured to generate a combined downlink digitalsignal 202 based on a plurality of downlink digital signals204(1)-204(N). The conventional RAU 200 includes a channel identifierand router 206 configured to receive a downlink digital communicationssignal 208 and split the downlink digital communications signal 208 intothe downlink digital signals 204(1)-204(N). The conventional RAU 200includes a digital combiner 210 configured to combine the downlinkdigital signals 204(1)-204(N) to generate the combined downlink digitalsignal 202. The conventional RAU 200 also includes a broadbanddigital-to-analog converter (DAC) 212 configured to convert the combineddownlink digital signal 202 into a downlink analog RF signal 214. Theconventional RAU 200 further includes a power amplifier (PA) 216configured to amplify the downlink analog RF signal 214 to generate adownlink RF communications signal 218. The digital combiner 210 receivesthe downlink digital signals 204(1)-204(N) at respective signal powerlevels P₁-P_(N) and generates the combined downlink digital signal 202at a total signal power level P_(C), as further illustrated in FIG. 2B.For the convenience of illustration, the downlink digital signal 204(1)and the downlink digital signal 204(N) are referenced hereinafter asnon-limiting examples.

In this regard, FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram providing an exemplaryillustration of the respective signal power level P₁ of the downlinkdigital signal 204(1), the respective signal power level P_(N) of thedownlink digital signal 204(N), and the total signal power level P_(C)of the combined downlink digital signal 202 of FIG. 2A. Common elementsbetween FIGS. 2A and 2B are shown therein with common element numbersand will not be re-described herein.

With reference to FIG. 2B, the downlink digital signals 204(1), 204(N)may be communicated in respective downlink channels of differentdownlink channel bandwidths. For example, the downlink digital signal204(1) may be communicated in a respective downlink channel having adownlink channel bandwidth BW₁ of five megahertz (5 MHz). The downlinkdigital signal 204(N) may be communicated in a respective downlinkchannel having downlink channel bandwidth BW_(N) of twenty megahertz (20MHz). In a non-limiting example, the downlink digital signals 204(1),204(N) have the same signal power level P₁, P_(N) of approximatelynegative thirty-five decibel-milliwatts (−35 dBm). Accordingly, thetotal signal power level P_(C) of the combined downlink digital signal202 is approximately negative thirty-two decibel-milliwatts (−32 dBm).

A respective channel power density of the downlink digital signal 204(1)is proportionally related to the respective signal power level P₁ andinversely related to the downlink channel bandwidth BW₁. Likewise, arespective channel power density of the downlink digital signal 204(N)is proportionally related to the respective signal power level P_(N) andinversely related to the downlink channel bandwidth BW_(N). In thisregard, since the downlink digital signals 204(1), 204(N) are at thesame signal power level P₁, P_(N) of approximately −35 dBm, therespective channel power densities of the downlink digital signals204(1), 204(N) will depend inversely upon the downlink channelbandwidths BW₁, BW_(N), respectively. As a result, the respectivechannel power density of the downlink digital signal 204(1), which isassociated with the downlink channel bandwidth BW₁ of 5 MHz, will behigher than the respective channel power density of the downlink digitalsignal 204(N), which is associated with the downlink channel bandwidthBW_(N) of 20 MHz. FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram providing an exemplaryillustration of the respective channel power densities of the downlinkdigital signals 204(1), 204(N) of FIG. 2B.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the respective channel power density of thedownlink digital signal 204(1) is higher than the respective channelpower density of the downlink digital signal 204(N) due to thedifference between the respective downlink channel bandwidths BW₁,BW_(N). As a result, the downlink digital signal 204(1) couldpotentially reach a distance farther than the downlink digital signal204(N). However, in some deployments, it may be necessary to configurethe conventional RAU 200 to provide uniform RF coverage across multipledownlink channels associated with different downlink channel bandwidths.As such, it may be desirable to transmit the downlink digital signals204(1)-204(N) in associated downlink channels with a substantially equalchannel power density.

In this regard, FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an exemplary RAU 300configured to digitally scale a plurality of downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N) based on a plurality of digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N)to generate a plurality of scaled downlink digital signals 304(1)-304(N)having a substantially equal channel power density in a plurality ofdownlink channels CH₁-CH_(N). The RAU 300 includes a plurality ofchannel circuits 306(1)-306(N) configured to receive the downlinkdigital signals 302(1)-302(N) at a plurality of signal power levelsP₁-P_(N) to be communicated in the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N),respectively. The downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N) correspond to a pluralityof downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N), respectively. In anon-limiting example, the signal power levels P₁-P_(N) of the downlinkdigital signals 302(1)-302(N) are substantially equal. As such,according to previous discussion in FIG. 2B, channel power densitiesD₁-D_(N) of the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N) in the downlinkchannels CH₁-CH_(N) are inversely related to the downlink channelbandwidths BW₁-BW_(N). Since the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N)of the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N) may be different, the channel powerdensities D₁-D_(N) of the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N) in thedownlink channels CH₁-CH_(N) could be different as a result. Hence, tobe able to provide uniform RF coverage in a coverage area served by theRAU 300, it may be necessary to digitally scale the downlink digitalsignals 302(1)-302(N) to generate the scaled downlink digital signals304(1)-304(N) having the substantially equal channel power density inthe downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N).

In this regard, the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) can be determinedbased on the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N), as shown in theequation (Eq. 1) below.

$\begin{matrix}{F_{i} = \frac{{BW}_{i}}{\sum_{i = 1}^{i = N}{BW}_{i}}} & \left( {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 1} \right)\end{matrix}$

Accordingly, the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N) are configured todigitally scale the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N) based on thedigital scaling factors F₁-F_(N). In this regard, each of the channelcircuits 306(1)-306(N) is configured to mathematically multiplymagnitudes of digital samples representing a respective downlink digitalsignal among the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N) by a respectivedigital scaling factor among the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N). Forexample, if the downlink digital signal 302(1) includes one hundreddigital samples having one hundred respective magnitudes, the channelcircuit 306(1) will multiply each of the one hundred respectivemagnitudes by the digital scaling factor F₁ to generate the scaleddownlink digital signal 304(1). The digital scaling performed by thechannel circuits 306(1)-306(N) can cause the scaled downlink digitalsignals 304(1)-304(N) to have a plurality of scaled signal power levelsP′₁-P′_(N) that is proportional to the downlink channel bandwidthsBW₁-BW_(N) of the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N). As a result, it ispossible for the scaled downlink digital signals 304(1)-304(N) to havethe substantially equal channel power density in the downlink channelsCH₁-CH_(N). The RAU 300 includes a digital combiner 308 configured tocombine the scaled downlink digital signals 304(1)-304(N) to generate acombined downlink digital signal 310 at a combined signal power levelP_(C). In a non-limiting example, the digital scaling performed by thechannel circuits 306(1)-306(N) can cause the combined signal power levelP_(C) to substantially equal each of the signal power levels P₁-P_(N) ofthe downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N).

To further illustrate effects of the digital scaling performed by thechannel circuits 306(1)-306(N), FIGS. 3B and 3C are discussed next. Forthe convenience of illustration, FIGS. 3B and 3C are discussed using thedownlink digital signal 302(1) and the downlink digital signal 302(N) asnon-limiting examples.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram providing an exemplary illustration ofthe scaled channel power levels P′₁, P′_(N) as a result of digitalscaling. Common elements between FIGS. 3A and 3B are shown therein withcommon element numbers and will not be re-described herein.

For the purpose of illustration, it is assumed that the downlink channelbandwidth BW₁ of the downlink channel CH₁ is 5 MHz and the downlinkchannel bandwidth BW_(N) of the downlink channel CH_(N) is 20 MHz. Assuch, according to the equation (Eq. 1) above, the digital scalingfactor F₁ and the digital scaling factor F_(N) will be twenty percent(20%) and eighty percent (80%), respectively. It is further assumed thatthe signal power level P₁ of the downlink digital signal 302(1) and thesignal power level P_(N) of the downlink digital signal 302(N) are both−35 dBm. Accordingly, the channel circuit 306(1) digitally scales thedownlink digital signal 302(1) based on the digital scaling factor F₁ togenerate the scaled downlink digital signal 304(1) at the scaled signalpower level P′₁, which is approximately negative forty-twodecibel-milliwatts (−42 dBm). Likewise, the channel circuit 306(N)digitally scales the downlink digital signal 302(N) based on the digitalscaling factor F_(N) to generate the scaled downlink digital signal304(N) at the scaled signal power level P′_(N), which is approximatelynegative thirty-six decibel-milliwatts (−36 dBm). As illustrated in FIG.3B, the combined signal power level P_(C) of the combined downlinkdigital signal 310 is approximately −35 dBm, which is approximatelyequal to the signal power levels P₁, P_(N).

By digitally scaling the signal power levels P₁, P_(N) to the scaledsignal power levels P′₁, P′_(N) based on the digital scaling factors F₁,F_(N), the channel power densities D₁, D_(N) of the scaled downlinkdigital signals 304(1), 304(N) will be substantially equal, asillustrated in FIG. 3C. In this regard, FIG. 3C is a schematic diagramproviding an exemplary illustration of the channel power densities D₁,D_(N) of the scaled downlink digital signals 304(1), 304(N) of FIG. 3A.As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the channel power densities D₁, D_(N) of thescaled downlink digital signals 304(1), 304(N) are substantially equal.As a result, the scaled downlink digital signals 304(1), 304(N) are ableto provide substantially uniform RF coverage in the coverage area servedby the RAU 300 of FIG. 3A.

With reference back to FIG. 3A, the RAU 300 includes a broadband DAC 312configured to receive and convert the combined downlink digital signal310 into a downlink analog RF signal 314. The RAU 300 also includes apower amplifier 316 configured to receive and amplify the downlinkanalog RF signal 314 to generate a downlink RF communications signal318.

The RAU 300 can be configured to digitally scale the downlink digitalsignals 302(1)-302(N) according to a process. In this regard, FIG. 4 isa flowchart of an exemplary process 400 that can be performed by the RAU300 of FIG. 3A to digitally scale the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N) based on the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N).

According to the process 400, the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N) in theRAU 300 receive the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N) at the signalpower levels P₁-P_(N) to be communicated in the downlink channelsCH₁-CH_(N) having the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N),respectively (block 402). Next, the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N) inthe RAU 300 digitally scale the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N)based on the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) determined according tothe downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N) to generate the scaleddownlink digital signals 304(1)-304(N) having the substantially equalchannel power density in the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N) (block 404).

With reference back to FIG. 3A, the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N)include a plurality of digital channel processing units 320(1)-320(N),respectively. The digital channel processing units 320(1)-320(N) receivethe digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N), respectively. The digital channelprocessing units 320(1)-320(N) are configured to digitally scale thedownlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N) based on the digital scalingfactors F₁-F_(N) to generate the scaled downlink digital signals304(1)-304(N) having the substantially equal channel power density inthe downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N). The channel circuits 306(1)-306(N)include a plurality of digital upconverters 322(1)-322(N), respectively.The digital upconverters 322(1)-322(N) are configured to digitallyupconvert the scaled downlink digital signals 304(1)-304(N) intorespective downlink transmission frequencies.

The RAU 300 also includes a channel identifier and router 324. In anon-limiting example, the channel identifier and router 324 can beimplemented using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). In anothernon-limiting example, the channel identifier and router 324 can beimplemented as an embedded software system employing a centralprocessing unit (CPU), storage, and memory. In another non-limitingexample, the channel identifier and router 324 can be implemented in thesame physical FPGA or embedded system as other components, such as thedigital channel processing units 320(1)-320(N). The channel identifierand router 324 can be configured to receive a downlink digitalcommunications signal 326. The channel identifier and router 324 splitsthe downlink digital communications signal 326 into the downlink digitalsignals 302(1)-302(N) and routes the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N) to the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N), respectively.

In a non-limiting example, the channel identifier and router 324receives the downlink digital communications signal 326 in common publicradio interface (CPRI) format. The channel identifier and router 324 canbe configured to examine control fields in CPRI frames conveyed in thedownlink digital communications signal 326 to determine the downlinkchannels CH₁-CH_(N). The channel identifier and router 324 then splitsthe downlink digital communications signal 326 into the downlink digitalsignals 302(1)-302(N) based on the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N).

With continuing reference to FIG. 3A, the RAU 300 may be communicativelycoupled to a power scaling controller 328, which may be a FPGA, a CPU, amicroprocessor, or a microcontroller. In a non-limiting example, it ispossible to provide the power scaling controller 328 in the RAU 300. Thepower scaling controller 328 is configured to determine the downlinkchannel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N) of the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N). The power scaling controller 328 is also configured todetermine the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) based on the downlinkchannel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N), respectively. The power scalingcontroller 328 is also configured to provide the digital scaling factorsF₁-F_(N) to the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N) in the RAU 300.

In a non-limiting example, the power scaling controller 328 receives thedownlink digital communications signal 326, which is configured to bedistributed to the RAU 300, in the CPRI format. In this regard, thepower scaling controller 328 examines the control fields in the CPRIframes conveyed in the downlink digital communications signal 326 todetermine the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N) of the downlinkchannels CH₁-CH_(N).

In another non-limiting example, the power scaling controller 328 iscommunicatively coupled to a management database 330 configured to storeconfiguration information determined by a management module 332. Themanagement module 332, which may be provided inside or outside the RAU300, is responsible for configuration and ongoing management of the RAU300. The management module 332 provides, for example, a managementinterface to enable management of the RAU 300 by an operator. Themanagement interface may be, for example, a human controlled graphicaluser interface (GUI). Alternatively, the management interface may be,for example, an electronic interface using a scheme such as SimpleNetwork Management Protocol (SNMP) or various automation schemes. Themanagement module 332 stores functional parameters obtained via themanagement interface in the management database 330.

The functional parameters managed via the management module 332 mayinclude, for example, activating and deactivating the RAU 300, orcontrolling various configuration parameters. These configurationparameters may include, for example, a specification of the number ofchannels that the RAU 300 will amplify and the downlink channelbandwidths BW₁-BW_(N) (in, for example, quanta of 100 kiloHertz (Khz))that the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N) utilize. The functional parametersstored in the management database 330 may be utilized by the powerscaling controller 328 to determine the downlink channel bandwidthsBW₁-BW_(N) of the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N). In addition, thefunctional parameters stored in the management database 330 may beutilized by the digital channel processing units 320(1)-320(N) todigitally scale the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N) based on thedigital scaling factors F₁-F_(N).

Upon determining the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N) of thedownlink channels CH₁-CH_(N), the power scaling controller 328calculates a total downlink channel bandwidth BW_(TOTAL)(BW_(TOTAL)=Σ_(i=1) ^(i=N)BWi) of the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N). The power scaling controller 328 then determines adigital scaling factor F₁ for each of the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N) according to the equation (Eq. 1) above.

The power scaling controller 328 may determine the digital scalingfactors F₁-F_(N) according to a process. In this regard, FIG. 5 is aflowchart of an exemplary process 500 that the power scaling controller328 may employ to determine the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) of FIG.3A. With reference to FIG. 5, the power scaling controller 328determines the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N) of the downlinkchannels CH₁-CH_(N) associated with the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N) (block 502). As previously discussed, the power scalingcontroller 328 may determine the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N)based on the control fields in the CPRI frames conveyed in the downlinkdigital communications signal 326 and/or functional parameters stored inthe management database 330. The power scaling controller 328 sets apointer i to one (1) (block 504). By setting the pointer i to one (1),the power scaling controller 328 is set to start from the downlinkchannel CH₁ among the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N). Next, the powerscaling controller 328 computes the total downlink channel bandwidthBW_(TOTAL) of the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N) (block 506). Aspreviously discussed, the total downlink channel bandwidth BW_(TOTAL)equals a sum of the downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N)(BW_(TOTAL)=Σ_(i=1) ^(i=N)BW₁).

The power scaling controller 328 then selects a downlink channelbandwidth BW_(i) (1≤i≤N) among the downlink channel bandwidthsBW₁-BW_(N) of a downlink channel CH_(i) (1≤i≤N) among the downlinkchannels CH₁-CH_(N) (block 508). The power scaling controller 328 thencomputes a digital scaling factor F₁ (1≤i≤N) for the downlink channelCH_(i) (1≤i≤N) (block 510). The power scaling controller 328 thenincreases the pointer i by one (1) (i=i+1) (block 512). The powerscaling controller 328 then checks whether the pointer i equals N (block514). If the pointer i is less than N, the power scaling controller 328returns to block 508 to compute a next digital scaling factor.Otherwise, the power scaling controller 328 ends the process (block516).

With reference back to FIG. 3A, the digital channel processing units320(1)-320(N) can be configured to digitally scale the downlink digitalsignals 302(1)-302(N) according to a process. In this regard, FIG. 6 isa flowchart of an exemplary process 600 that the digital channelprocessing units 320(1)-320(N) in the RAU 300 of FIG. 3A may perform todigitally scale the downlink digital signals 302(1)-302(N). For theconvenience of discussion, the digital channel processing unit 320(1)configured to digitally scale the downlink digital signal 302(1) isreferenced herein as a non-limiting example. It shall be appreciatedthat the process 600 can be employed by any of the digital channelprocessing units 320(1)-320(N) in the RAU 300.

According to the process 600, the digital channel processing unit 320(1)performs policy-independent scaling on the downlink digital signal302(1) based on a policy-independent scaling factor (block 602). In anon-limiting example, the policy-independent scaling can help reducemagnitude (e.g., amplitude) of the downlink digital signal 302(1) toprevent gain compression in the power amplifier 316 of FIG. 3A. Next,the digital channel processing unit 320(1) performs digital scaling bymathematically multiplying the magnitudes of digital samplesrepresenting the downlink digital signal 302(1) by the digital scalingfactor F₁ (block 604). In a non-limiting example, it is possible toperform the policy-independent scaling (block 602) and the digitalscaling (block 604) in a single scaling operation based on a combinedscaling factor. In this regard, the combined scaling factor may bedetermined by multiplying the policy-independent scaling factor with thedigital scaling factor F₁.

With reference back to FIG. 3A, the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N) include a plurality of in-phase (I) sample signals334(1)-334(N) and a plurality of quadrature (Q) sample signals336(1)-336(N), respectively. In this regard, the channel circuits306(1)-306(N) receive the I sample signals 334(1)-334(N) and the Qsample signals 336(1)-336(N) as the downlink digital signals302(1)-302(N). Accordingly, the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N) areconfigured to digitally scale the I sample signals 334(1)-334(N) basedon the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) to generate a plurality ofscaled I sample signals 338(1)-338(N), respectively. The channelcircuits 306(1)-306(N) are also configured to digitally scale the Qsample signals 336(1)-336(N) based on the digital scaling factorsF₁-F_(N) to generate a plurality of scaled Q sample signals340(1)-340(N), respectively.

Subsequently, the digital upconverters 322(1)-322(N) digitally upconvertthe scaled I sample signals 338(1)-338(N) and the scaled Q samplesignals 340(1)-340(N) into the respective downlink transmissionfrequencies. The digital combiner 308 combines the scaled I samplesignals 338(1)-338(N) to generate a combined downlink I sample signal342. The digital combiner 308 also combines the scaled Q sample signals340(1)-340(N) to generate a combined downlink Q sample signal 344.

In a non-limiting example, the RAU 300 further includes an I-Q combiner346 coupled to the digital combiner 308. The I-Q combiner 346 isconfigured to combine the combined downlink I sample signal 342 and thecombined downlink Q sample signal 344 to generate the combined downlinkdigital signal 310. The broadband DAC 312 converts the combined downlinkdigital signal 310 into the downlink analog RF signal 314.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3A, in a non-limiting example, the I-Qcombiner 346 can also be configured to include a mixer that performsfunctions of the broadband DAC 312. In this regard, the I-Q combiner 346is able to convert the combined downlink digital signal 310 into thedownlink analog RF signal 314.

In one non-limiting example, the RAU 300 may include a plurality of thepower amplifier 316 and/or a plurality of the digital combiner 308. Assuch, each power amplifier 316 amplifies a particular range offrequencies. Each of the channel circuits 306(1)-306(N) may be coupledto a respective digital combiner 308 according to the downlink channelsCH₁-CH_(N). In this manner, each of the downlink channels CH₁-CH_(N) isamplified by a respective power amplifier 316.

In another non-limiting example, the RAU 300 may include a plurality ofthe broadband DAC 312 coupled directly to the channel circuits306(1)-306(N), respectively. In this regard, the broadband DAC 312receives and converts the scaled downlink digital signals 304(1)-304(N)into respective downlink analog RF signals. As such, the digitalcombiner 308 may be replaced by an analog combiner disposed between thebroadband DAC 312 and the power amplifier 316.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary DAS 700 provided in theform of an optical fiber-based DAS that includes a plurality of the RAU300 of FIG. 3A configured to digitally scale the downlink digitalsignals 302(1)-302(N) based on the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N). TheDAS 700 includes an optical fiber for distributing communicationsservices for multiple frequency bands. The DAS 700 in this example iscomprised of three (3) main components. A plurality of radio interfacesprovided in the form of radio interface modules (RIMs) 702(1)-702(M) areprovided in a head-end unit (HEU) 704 to receive and process downlinkdigital communications signals 706D(1)-706D(R) prior to opticalconversion into downlink optical fiber-based communications signals. Thedownlink digital communications signals 706D(1)-706D(R) may be receivedfrom a base station (not shown) as an example. The RIMs 702(1)-702(M)provide both downlink and uplink interfaces for signal processing. Thenotations “1-R” and “1-M” indicate that any number of the referencedcomponent, 1-R and 1-M, respectively, may be provided. The HEU 704 isconfigured to accept the RIMs 702(1)-702(M) as modular components thatcan easily be installed and removed or replaced in the HEU 704. In oneexample, the HEU 704 is configured to support up to twelve (12) RIMs702(1)-702(12). Each RIM 702(1)-702(M) can be designed to support aparticular type of radio source or range of radio sources (i.e.,frequencies) to provide flexibility in configuring the HEU 704 and theDAS 700 to support the desired radio sources.

For example, one RIM 702 may be configured to support the PersonalizedCommunications System (PCS) radio band. Another RIM 702 may beconfigured to support the 800 megahertz (MHz) radio band. In thisexample, by inclusion of the RIMs 702(1)-702(M), the HEU 704 could beconfigured to support and distribute communications signals on both PCSand Long-Term Evolution (LTE) 700 radio bands, as an example. The RIMs702 may be provided in the HEU 704 that support any frequency bandsdesired, including but not limited to the US Cellular band, PCS band,Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) band, 700 MHz band, Global System forMobile communications (GSM) 900, GSM 1800, and Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS). The RIMs 702(1)-702(M) may also beprovided in the HEU 704 that support any wireless technologies desired,including but not limited to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),CDMA200, 1×RTT, Evolution—Data Only (EV-DO), UMTS, High-speed PacketAccess (HSPA), GSM, General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced DataGSM Environment (EDGE), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), LTE, iDEN,and Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD).

The RIMs 702(1)-702(M) may be provided in the HEU 704 that support anyfrequencies desired, including but not limited to US FCC and IndustryCanada frequencies (824-849 MHz on uplink and 869-894 MHz on downlink),US FCC and Industry Canada frequencies (1850-1915 MHz on uplink and1930-1995 MHz on downlink), US FCC and Industry Canada frequencies(1710-1755 MHz on uplink and 2110-2155 MHz on downlink), US FCCfrequencies (698-716 MHz and 776-787 MHz on uplink and 728-746 MHz ondownlink), EU R & TTE frequencies (880-915 MHz on uplink and 925-960 MHzon downlink), EU R & TTE frequencies (1710-1785 MHz on uplink and1805-1880 MHz on downlink), EU R & TTE frequencies (1920-1980 MHz onuplink and 2110-2170 MHz on downlink), US FCC frequencies (806-824 MHzon uplink and 851-869 MHz on downlink), US FCC frequencies (896-901 MHzon uplink and 929-941 MHz on downlink), US FCC frequencies (793-805 MHzon uplink and 763-775 MHz on downlink), and US FCC frequencies(2495-2690 MHz on uplink and downlink).

With continuing reference to FIG. 7, the downlink digital communicationssignals 706D(1)-706D(R) are provided to a plurality of opticalinterfaces provided in the form of optical interface modules (OIMs)708(1)-708(N) in this embodiment to convert the downlink digitalcommunications signals 706D(1)-706D(R) into downlink optical fiber-basedcommunications signals 710D(1)-710D(R). The notation “1-N” indicatesthat any number of the referenced component 1-N may be provided. TheOIMs 708(1)-708(N) may be configured to provide a plurality of opticalinterface components (OICs) that contain optical-to-electrical (O/E) andelectrical-to-optical (E/O) converters, as will be described in moredetail below. The OIMs 708(1)-708(N) support the radio bands that can beprovided by the RIMs 702(1)-702(M), including the examples previouslydescribed above.

The OIMs 708(1)-708(N) each include E/O converters to convert thedownlink digital communications signals 706D(1)-706D(R) into thedownlink optical fiber-based communications signals 710D(1)-710D(R). Thedownlink optical fiber-based communications signals 710D(1)-710D(R) arecommunicated over a downlink optical fiber-based communications medium712D to a plurality of remote antenna units (RAUs) 714(1)-714(S). Aplurality of RAUs among the RAUs 714(1)-714(S) are provided as the RAU300 of FIG. 3A configured to digitally scale the downlink digitalsignals 302(1)-302(N) based on the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N). Thenotation “1-S” indicates that any number of the referenced component 1-Smay be provided. RAU O/E converters provided in the RAUs 714(1)-714(S)convert the downlink optical fiber-based communications signals710D(1)-710D(R) back into the downlink digital communications signals706D(1)-706D(R), which are provided to antennas 716(1)-716(S) in theRAUs 714(1)-714(S) to client devices (not shown) in the reception rangeof the antennas 716(1)-716(S).

RAU E/O converters are also provided in the RAUs 714(1)-714(S) toconvert uplink digital communications signals 718U(1)-718U(S) receivedfrom the client devices through the antennas 716(1)-716(S) into uplinkoptical fiber-based communications signals 710U(1)-710U(S). The RAUs714(1)-714(S) communicate the uplink optical fiber-based communicationssignals 710U(1)-710U(S) over an uplink optical fiber-basedcommunications medium 712U to the OIMs 708(1)-708(N) in the HEU 704. TheOIMs 708(1)-708(N) include O/E converters that convert the receiveduplink optical fiber-based communications signals 710U(1)-710U(S) intouplink digital communications signals 720U(1)-720U(S), which areprocessed by the RIMs 702(1)-702(M) and provided as the uplink digitalcommunications signals 720U(1)-720U(S). The HEU 704 may provide theuplink digital communications signals 720U(1)-720U(S) to a base stationor other communications system.

Note that the downlink optical fiber-based communications medium 712Dand the uplink optical fiber-based communications medium 712U connectedto each RAU 714(1)-714(S) may be a common optical fiber-basedcommunications medium, wherein for example, wave division multiplexing(WDM) is employed to provide the downlink optical fiber-basedcommunications signals 710D(1)-710D(R) and the uplink opticalfiber-based communications signals 710U(1)-710U(S) on the same opticalfiber-based communications medium.

The DAS 700 further includes the power scaling controller 328 of FIG. 3Aconfigured to determine the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) based onthe downlink channel bandwidths BW₁-BW_(N). In a non-limiting example,the power scaling controller 328 is provided as an independent entity inthe DAS 700. In another non-limiting example, the power scalingcontroller 328 is provided in the HEU 704.

The DAS 700 of FIG. 7 may be provided in an indoor environment, asillustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a partial schematic cut-away diagram ofan exemplary building infrastructure 800 in which the DAS 700 of FIG. 7can be employed. The building infrastructure 800 in this embodimentincludes a first (ground) floor 802(1), a second floor 802(2), and athird floor 802(3). The floors 802(1)-802(3) are serviced by an HEU 804to provide antenna coverage areas 806 in the building infrastructure800. The HEU 804 is communicatively coupled to a base station 808 toreceive downlink communications signals 810D from the base station 808.The HEU 804 is communicatively coupled to a plurality of RAUs 812 todistribute the downlink communications signals 810D to the RAUs 812 andto receive uplink communications signals 810U from the RAUs 812, aspreviously discussed above. The downlink communications signals 810D andthe uplink communications signals 810U communicated between the HEU 804and the RAUs 812 are carried over a riser cable 814. The riser cable 814may be routed through interconnect units (ICUs) 816(1)-816(3) dedicatedto each of the floors 802(1)-802(3) that route the downlinkcommunications signals 810D and the uplink communications signals 810Uto the RAUs 812 and also provide power to the RAUs 812 via array cables818.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram representation of additional detailillustrating an exemplary computer system 900 that could be employed ina control circuit, including the power scaling controller 328 and thedigital channel processing units 320(1)-320(N) of FIG. 3A fordetermining the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) and performing digitalscaling based on the digital scaling factors F₁-F_(N) in the RAU 300. Inthis regard, the computer system 900 is adapted to execute instructionsfrom an exemplary computer-readable medium to perform these and/or anyof the functions or processing described herein.

In this regard, the computer system 900 in FIG. 9 may include a set ofinstructions that may be executed to predict frequency interference toavoid or reduce interference in a multi-frequency DAS. The computersystem 900 may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines in aLAN, an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet. While only a singledevice is illustrated, the term “device” shall also be taken to includeany collection of devices that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein. The computer system 900 may be a circuitor circuits included in an electronic board card, such as a printedcircuit board (PCB), a server, a personal computer, a desktop computer,a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing pad,a mobile device, or any other device, and may represent, for example, aserver or a user's computer.

The exemplary computer system 900 in this embodiment includes aprocessing device or processor 902, a main memory 904 (e.g., read-onlymemory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), such assynchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.), and a static memory 906 (e.g., flashmemory, static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), which may communicatewith each other via a data bus 908. Alternatively, the processor 902 maybe connected to the main memory 904 and/or the static memory 906directly or via some other connectivity means. The processor 902 may bea controller including the power scaling controller 328 and the digitalchannel processing units 320(1)-320(N) of FIG. 3A, as an example, andthe main memory 904 or the static memory 906 may be any type of memory.

The processor 902 represents one or more general-purpose processingdevices, such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like.More particularly, the processor 902 may be a complex instruction setcomputing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing(RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW)microprocessor, a processor implementing other instruction sets, orother processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. Theprocessor 902 is configured to execute processing logic in instructionsfor performing the operations and steps discussed herein.

The computer system 900 may further include a network interface device910. The computer system 900 also may or may not include an input 912,configured to receive input and selections to be communicated to thecomputer system 900 when executing instructions. The computer system 900also may or may not include an output 914, including but not limited toa display, a video display unit (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) ora cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alphanumeric input device (e.g., akeyboard), and/or a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse).

The computer system 900 may or may not include a data storage devicethat includes instructions 916 stored in a computer-readable medium 918.The instructions 916 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 904 and/or within the processor 902 duringexecution thereof by the computer system 900, the main memory 904 andthe processor 902 also constituting computer-readable medium. Theinstructions 916 may further be transmitted or received over a network920 via the network interface device 910.

While the computer-readable medium 918 is shown in an exemplaryembodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium”should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any mediumthat is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructionsfor execution by the processing device and that cause the processingdevice to perform any one or more of the methodologies of theembodiments disclosed herein. The term “computer-readable medium” shallaccordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-statememories, optical medium, and magnetic medium.

The embodiments disclosed herein include various steps. The steps of theembodiments disclosed herein may be formed by hardware components or maybe embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used tocause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with theinstructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, the steps may beperformed by a combination of hardware and software.

The embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as a computer programproduct, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium (orcomputer-readable medium) having stored thereon instructions, which maybe used to program a computer system (or other electronic devices) toperform a process according to the embodiments disclosed herein. Amachine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing ortransmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer). For example, a machine-readable medium includes: amachine-readable storage medium (e.g., ROM, random access memory(“RAM”), a magnetic disk storage medium, an optical storage medium,flash memory devices, etc.); and the like.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat any particular order be inferred.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Since modifications, combinations,sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodimentsincorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur topersons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to includeeverything within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

1. A remote antenna unit (RAU) in a distributed communication system,comprising a plurality of channel circuits configured to: receive aplurality of downlink digital signals at a plurality of signal powerlevels to be communicated in a plurality of downlink channels having aplurality of downlink channel bandwidths, respectively; and digitallyscale the plurality of downlink digital signals based on a plurality ofdigital scaling factors determined according to the plurality ofdownlink channel bandwidths to generate a plurality of scaled downlinkdigital signals having a substantially equal channel power density inthe plurality of downlink channels.
 2. The RAU of claim 1, wherein theplurality of channel circuits is configured to receive the plurality ofdownlink digital signals at the plurality of signal power levels that issubstantially equal.
 3. The RAU of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of channel circuits is configured to mathematically multiplymagnitudes of digital samples representing a respective downlink digitalsignal among the plurality of downlink digital signals by a respectivedigital scaling factor to generate a respective scaled downlink digitalsignal among the plurality of scaled downlink digital signals.
 4. TheRAU of claim 2, wherein the plurality of channel circuits comprises aplurality of digital channel processing units, respectively, theplurality of digital channel processing units configured to: receive theplurality of digital scaling factors, respectively; and digitally scalethe plurality of downlink digital signals based on the plurality ofdigital scaling factors to generate the plurality of scaled downlinkdigital signals.
 5. The RAU of claim 4, wherein the plurality of channelcircuits further comprises a plurality of digital upconverters,respectively, the plurality of digital upconverters configured todigitally upconvert the plurality of scaled downlink digital signalsinto respective downlink transmission frequencies.
 6. The RAU of claim1, further comprising a channel identifier and router configured to:receive a downlink digital communications signal; split the downlinkdigital communications signal into the plurality of downlink digitalsignals; and route the plurality of downlink digital signals to theplurality of channel circuits, respectively.
 7. The RAU of claim 6,wherein the channel identifier and router is further configured to:receive the downlink digital communications signal in common publicradio interface (CPRI) format; examine control fields in CPRI framesconveyed in the downlink digital communications signal to determine theplurality of downlink channels; and split the downlink digitalcommunications signal into the plurality of downlink digital signalsbased on the plurality of downlink channels.
 8. The RAU of claim 6,further comprising a digital combiner configured to combine theplurality of scaled downlink digital signals to generate a combineddownlink digital signal.
 9. The RAU of claim 8, further comprising: abroadband digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to receive andconvert the combined downlink digital signal into a downlink analogradio frequency (RF) signal; and a power amplifier configured to receiveand amplify the downlink analog RF signal to generate a downlink RFcommunications signal.
 10. The RAU of claim 8, wherein: the plurality ofdownlink digital signals comprises a plurality of in-phase (I) samplesignals and a plurality of quadrature (Q) sample signals, respectively;and the plurality of channel circuits is configured to: receive theplurality of I sample signals and the plurality of Q sample signals,respectively; and digitally scale the plurality of I sample signals andthe plurality of Q sample signals based on the plurality of digitalscaling factors to generate a plurality of scaled I sample signals and aplurality of scaled Q sample signals, respectively; and the digitalcombiner is configured to: combine the plurality of scaled I samplesignals to generate a combined downlink I sample signal; and combine theplurality of scaled Q sample signals to generate a combined downlink Qsample signal.
 11. The RAU of claim 10, further comprising an I-Qcombiner configured to combine the combined downlink I sample signal andthe combined downlink Q sample signal to generate the combined downlinkdigital signal.
 12. A method for digitally scaling a plurality ofdownlink digital signals in a remote antenna unit (RAU) in a distributedcommunication system, comprising: receiving the plurality of downlinkdigital signals at a plurality of signal power levels to be communicatedin a plurality of downlink channels having a plurality of downlinkchannel bandwidths, respectively; digitally scaling the plurality ofdownlink digital signals based on a plurality of digital scaling factorsdetermined according to the plurality of downlink channel bandwidths togenerate a plurality of scaled downlink digital signals having asubstantially equal channel power density in the plurality of downlinkchannels.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving theplurality of downlink digital signals at the plurality of signal powerlevels that is substantially equal.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising mathematically multiplying magnitudes of digital samplesrepresenting a respective downlink digital signal among the plurality ofdownlink digital signals by a respective digital scaling factor togenerate a respective scaled downlink digital signal among the pluralityof scaled downlink digital signals.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising digitally upconverting the plurality of scaled downlinkdigital signals into respective downlink transmission frequencies. 16.The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving a downlink digitalcommunications signal; splitting the downlink digital communicationssignal into the plurality of downlink digital signals; and routing theplurality of downlink digital signals to a plurality of channelcircuits, respectively.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:receiving the downlink digital communications signal in common publicradio interface (CPRI) format; examining control fields in CPRI framesconveyed in the downlink digital communications signal to determine theplurality of downlink channels; and splitting the downlink digitalcommunications signal into the plurality of downlink digital signalsbased on the plurality of downlink channels.
 18. The method of claim 14,further comprising combining the plurality of scaled downlink digitalsignals to generate a combined downlink digital signal.
 19. The methodof claim 18, further comprising: converting the combined downlinkdigital signal into a downlink analog radio frequency (RF) signal; andamplifying the downlink analog RF signal to generate a downlink RFcommunications signal.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:receiving a plurality of in-phase (1) sample signals and a plurality ofquadrature (Q) sample signals; digitally scaling the plurality of Isample signals and the plurality of Q sample signals based on theplurality of digital scaling factors to generate a plurality of scaled Isample signals and a plurality of scaled Q sample signals, respectively;combining the plurality of scaled I sample signals to generate acombined downlink I sample signal; and combining the plurality of scaledQ sample signals to generate a combined downlink Q sample signal. 21.The method of claim 20, further comprising combining the combineddownlink I sample signal and the combined downlink Q sample signal togenerate the combined downlink digital signal. 22.-37. (canceled)